Michigan Medicine orthopaedic surgeons successfully performed the first total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty procedures at the Brighton Center for Specialty Care.

Total knee and total hip arthroplasty, also known as total knee and total hip replacement, are procedures previously only available at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

“We’re very excited to offer our patients in Livingston County the ability to have these procedures in their own community, instead of having to commute to the hospital,” said Andrew Urquhart, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon and service chief of hip and knee replacement.

Total knee replacement involves surgeons removing damaged cartilage in the knee and replacing it with an artificial joint. Patients typically recover in six to 12 weeks. Total hip replacement is necessary when the hip joint has worn down. The ball and socket of the hip joint are removed and replaced with an artificial joint. Patients typically recover from this surgery in two to six weeks with return to full activities allowed at six weeks.

“Hip and knee replacements in typically healthy patients do not require a hospital stay,” Urquhart said. “That’s why we are able to now offer this at the Brighton Center for Specialty Care. Patients have the surgery performed in one of the operating rooms at the facility and then are moved into a recovery area where they are monitored and work with physical therapy to be safe to go home. The Center has the ability and staffing to monitor patients overnight, if needed. Then the patient is able to finish their recovery at home.”

The Brighton Center for Specialty Care, opened in September 2018, is equipped with four operating rooms, with the ability to add two more in the future, to provide these types of outpatient surgeries. Located at 7500 Challis Road, the three-level, 297,000 square feet facility also houses more than 50 adult and pediatric specialty services, including cancer, cardiovascular, MRI and more.

Brian Bantle, 43, was the first patient to undergo total knee replacement surgery at the Center.

After experiencing a basketball injury at 18-years-old, Bantle had experienced pain and issues with his knee. He consulted with his orthopaedist and the surgery was determined to be his best treatment option.

“I had a terrific experience having my knee surgery performed at the Brighton Center for Specialty Care,” Bantle said. “Everybody was on top of their game and it was easy to go to the Center.”

The Center also offers physical therapy and follow-up appointments for post-operative patients through the Michigan Medicine Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Center.

Patients can schedule a consultative appointment with an orthopaedist at the Brighton Center for Specialty Care by calling 810-263-4000.

To learn more about the Brighton Center for Specialty Care, please visit http://www.uofmhealth.org/bcsc.

About Michigan Medicine

At Michigan Medicine, we create the future of healthcare through the discovery of new knowledge for the benefit of patients and society; educate the next generation of physicians, health professionals and scientists; and serve the health needs of our citizens. We pursue excellence every day in our three hospitals, 125 clinics and home care operations that handle more than 2.3 million outpatient visits a year.

Michigan Medicine includes the top ranked U-M Medical School and the University of Michigan Health System, which includes the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center and the Rogel Cancer Center. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research funding of more than $470 million.

More information is available at www.michiganmedicine.org.